90-Years-Old Sir Michael Caine Admits Death Could Be “Around the Corner” but He’s Happy

Sir Michael Caine, one of Britain’s most iconic actors has graced in over 160 films. Over his huge career, Caine has left his mark on timeless classics like Zulu, The Italian Job, Alfie, and numerous others. Recently the actor candidly shared insights about his personal journey and contemplation of his own mortality.

Caine said he is retired now.

In 2021, Michael Caine stirred headlines when he suggested that his role in director Lina Roessler’s comedy Best Sellers might mark the end of his acting career. Representatives for the two-time Oscar winner quickly clarified that Caine’s statement was premature, as he was already considering roles in two new films at the time. Fast-forward two years, and it appears that Caine has essentially retired from acting.

“I am bloody 90 now, and I can’t walk properly and all that,” he said. “I sort of am retired now.”

The Great Escaper may be his last movie.

If Caine actually is retired, then his final film will be the upcoming The Great Escaper. The film is based on the true story of Bernard “Bernie” Jordan. Taking on a role at his age proved arduous for Caine, who explained, “They gave me a very good walking stick, and I was able to do scenes that needed that. I’d just do them once, and then fall over. But just one take and that’s it. Forget it.”

Caine shared that he is happy that he reached his 90s.

When asked about what it’s like to be 90 years old, Caine shared, “The worst thing about it is that so much disappears from your life. You can’t run around, you can’t play football, and you gradually realize you’re approaching death.”

“[Death] could be just around the corner at 90,” he said. “But I’m quite happy. I’m sitting here writing, doing my thing. I like it. I have two children, three grandchildren and a wife... Everyone’s going to join me eventually. No one’s going to say, ‘I’m so sorry you’re going to die — I wish you were like me and not going to die.’ Everybody’s going to die. At least I’ve lived to 90; I didn’t die at 9, or 19 or 29. I’m 90, and I’ve had the best possible life I could have thought of. The best possible wife, and the best possible family. They may not be a family that other people would say is the best possible family — but the best possible family for me.”

In the early stages of his career, Michael Caine took on any job that came his way. He believes that his success can be attributed in part to a woman he encountered, who brought stability into his life. For a remarkable 46 years, that woman has been Shakira Baksh, his wife and partner.